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Mick Gooda to head up Stolen Wages Taskforce supplied by Martin Philip 24 August 2015
S
ocial Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda will head up the State Government’s Stolen Wages Taskforce, overseeing a $21 million reparations fund. Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships said Mr Gooda had the right set of skills to redress an historic injustice. “Mick Gooda is one of Australia’s most respected Indigenous leaders and we’re lucky to have him performing this important role,” he said. “He brings more than 25 years of experience working in remote, rural and urban environments, and is ideally placed to head the Taskforce. “Mick understands the suffering
Mick Gooda with Lesley Williams. Image: socialcapital.net.au
Aboriginal workers on a cabbage garden at Barambah settlement, circa 1912. Image: abc.net.au
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and economic loss caused by previous State Governments when they stole wages from Indigenous Queenslanders. “This was a shameful period in Queensland’s history and while we can never erase the hurt and sorrow caused by past actions, we can seek to rectify past injustice by properly compensating those affected.” Mr Pitt said Mick Gooda would be joined by a distinguished group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders on the Taskforce. “Taskforce members will consult with communities, individuals, families and other interested stakeholders about two key matters - who should be eligible for payments and how the payments should be allocated,” he said. “I want to encourage interested people to participate in upcoming community consultations being held in each region throughout Queensland. “I expect to receive recommendations from the Taskforce later this year so the Reparations Scheme can formally commence in early 2016.” The Palaszczuk Government’s first State Budget locks in $21 million for the Stolen Wages Reparation Fund. For more information about
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Large group at Barambah Aboriginal settlement, 1911 Image: Qldpics
membership of the independent Taskforce, community consultations
and the new Reparations Scheme visit www.qld.gov.au/atsi
For workers like Sophie Mumming not only their wages but also their child endowment and other payments went directly to government. Images: treatyrepublic.net